Federal disaster plans now include pets and animals. As a result, we encourage you to bring your animals with you if you’re evacuated. Do not leave them in your residence with food and water. (See Evacuation for more information.)

General Planning Guidelines

Make sure your pet is identified properly. All dogs and cats should have collars with identification tags. Unfortunately, collars can come off or be taken off. A microchip is a permanent form of identification that can be used to reach you, your vet, and relatives or friends who may be resources in an emergency. You can have a microchip implanted during your pet’s next wellness exam. Be sure to keep your phone and address information updated with the microchip provider. Call 415.554.3030 for an appointment.

Get your pet used to a crate or carrier. Many dogs are crate-trained, but most cats are not. Try feeding your pet in the crate; put a favorite toy or treat in it and, with cats, try putting catnip in the crate. If you leave the crate out in the home and treat it like a regular piece of furniture, your pet will get used to it.

Make sure your pet is used to being handled. It will be easier to get it into a carrier if needed.

Always have a picture of you and your pet, your pet’s microchip number and your contact numbers with you in case you need to evacuate.

Pet Emergency Kit

Pet emergency kits should contain:

Harnesses, leashes and collars

Regular food, plus bottled water (at least a seven day supply for each animal), non-spill bowls, a manual can opener and plastic lid for canned pet food

Litter boxes, litter and a scoop

Fresh bedding for small mammals

Routine medications, a copy of your pet’s vaccine history and medical records for chronic conditions

Pet First Aid Kit

In emergencies, a first aid kit for your pet is just as essential as one for yourself. Your pet first aid kit should contain:

Gauze, roll type and squares

Telfa pads, non-stick bandages or absorbent pads to control bleeding and protect wounds

Adhesive tape to secure gauze or bandages. Do not use Band-Aids on pets; they can swallow them and cause an intestinal blockage.

Triple antibiotic ointment such asNeosporin, etc.) for minor scrapes

Activated charcoal or Milk of Magnesia to absorb poison and hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. If you can, call your vet or the poison center before treating an animal for poison. Otherwise, consult your pet first aid book.

An eye-dropper or large syringe without a needle or to administer oral medications

A stretcher, which can be a board, a door or a strong large blanket to transport a large dog that can’t walk.

Although first aid is not a substitute for proper veterinary care, by learning basic first aid procedures, you can assist people in your neighborhood with sick or injured pets after a disaster.

Safety

Even the gentlest pet may bite, scratch or become aggressive when in pain or when it is fearful.

Never hug an injured animal. You can easily be bitten or attacked.

Put a blanket or towel over pets to keep them contained and put a barrier between you and their teeth and claws.

Reduce the chance of bites with a muzzle; muzzles for dogs can be made out of rope, stockings or long towels. Cats can be wrapped in a towel, but make sure they’re not wrapped too tightly. Leave their head and face uncovered so they can breathe.

Examine injured animals slowly and stop if they become agitated.

Never muzzle an animal that is vomiting.

When you transport your pet, put it in a carrier, crate or box.

Evacuation

During a disaster, there may be auxiliary animal shelters set up near human shelters. If this is the case and you are being moved to a human shelter that has an auxiliary animal shelter in place, you can request that your pet be housed at that shelter.

In San Francisco, all evacuated animals that have not been placed with family or friends will be housed at SFACC (1200 15th Street at Harrison) until it reaches capacity. All evacuated exotic animals, small mammals and aggressive dogs and cats that have not been placed with family or friends will be housed at SFACC or across the street with the SF SPCA regardless of where the guardian is sheltered.